We often discuss the best times to visit destinations, which typically covers 6-9 months of the year. But what about those periods you should absolutely avoid? What about that singular month when even locals prefer to stay indoors?
In this guide, I’ll reveal the worst time to visit the Philippines to help you plan a trip that avoids these challenging periods.
Seasons In The Philippines
Unlike the UK and USA with their four distinct seasons, the Philippines follows a simpler pattern. Like many Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines experiences just two seasons: wet and dry. The absolute worst time to visit Philippines falls during the heart of the wet season, when typhoons are most prominent.
Philippines Rainy Season (June–October)
- Heavy rains and thunderstorms, especially from July through September
- High risk of typhoons
The typhoon season stretches from June to November, with July, August, and September being the peak months. The country typically experiences around 20 typhoons annually, with several reaching severe intensity.
Philippines Dry Season (November–May)
- Cool Dry Season: November–February (the most pleasant time to visit)
- Hot Dry Season: March-May (summer, extremely hot and humid)
During the dry season, temperatures regularly soar to 35°C (95°F), with UV levels often reaching a dangerous 12 on the UV Index (which explains why sunscreen is a necessity).
The Worst Time to Visit the Philippines – Peak Tourism Season: Avoid, Avoid, Avoid!
In my opinion, the absolute worst time to visit the Philippines is during peak tourism seasons! Popular holidays like New Year, Easter week (locally known as Holy Week), and the Western summer months (particularly July) bring a massive influx of tourists to the islands.
This tourism surge creates a classic supply and demand problem – prices often skyrocket for everything from flights and accommodations to tours and activities. Even worse, you’ll face longer queues at airports and increased wait times across the board.
Holy Week
Holy Week (Easter) is an extremely popular travel period, particularly for families. Given the Philippines’ strong religious traditions, Easter represents a major celebration for Filipinos. Most families head to beaches or popular tourist destinations during this time.
In Cebu specifically, families flock to destinations like Moalboal, Bantayan, and Siquijor. Accommodation often gets fully booked months in advance.
Sinulog
Every year on the third Sunday of January, Cebu City erupts in celebration of Sinulog. While primarily a religious festival, it has evolved to include massive street parties that last for days leading up to the main event. This makes traffic absolutely exhausting and moving around extremely difficult – a typical 5-minute journey can easily take 30+ minutes during Sinulog week!
Local Public Holidays
During public holidays throughout the year, many Filipino families travel and gather at beach destinations. If you’re planning to visit during these times, booking your accommodation in advance is essential.
The Worst Time To Visit The Philippines:
The worst month to visit is usually September because:
- It has some of the heaviest rainfall.
- It’s the peak of typhoon season, causing flight cancellations and flooding.
- Some islands become inaccessible due to rough seas.
If you’re planning a trip, the best time to visit is between December and February, when the weather is cooler, drier, and more comfortable for outdoor adventures.
What If Your Trip Is Already Planned During The Worst Time To Visit The Philippines?
It’s not the end of the world! Just be more flexible with your plans, take extra precautions and pack sensibly!
Packing Tips:
Packing light during a backpacking trip is recommended, however, during rainy season, don’t skip your waterproof coat, and an extra layer or two. While the temperature won’t drop drastically, the breeze and damp will make you beg for that pair of leggings.
Bring a waterproof coating for your bag and a dry bag for your important stuff.
Travel Insurance:
Do not come to the Philippines without travel insurance, particularly during typhoon season. It is not just about unexpected medical bills, but also cancellations, equipment damage and unexpected delays.
Thank you for reading our blog!
We are Em & Yul – An English & Filipino Travel Couple. Now based in Cebu, we frequently explore the best destinations, hidden gems and cultural attractions across the Philippines.
Subscribe to our email list (in the sidebar) to keep updated with our latest travel advice, content and recommendations.
You can get in contact with us using one of the methods below:
Please note that this website contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission if you purchase through these links (at no extra cost to you). This helps us keep the website up and running. We only recommend genuinely useful products and resources 🙂